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Congratulations to 2003 inductee to
the Hall of Fame -- Lorne Crawford. Lorne was a well-known and well-loved
Ottawa Valley sportsman and horseman and a long-time member of both the CRHA
and OHHA. He served as President of the CRHA from 1987 to 1988. Lorne's many
friends were saddened and shocked by his sudden passing on August 30 of 2003
at the age of 80. Our sincere condolences on behalf of the membership go out
to his entire family and many friends.
The Crawford family was a familiar sight at many shows across the province
with Lorne accompanied by his wife, Alice, and their three children --
Donna, Jim, and Kelly. A cousin, Gary Jones, could also be seen assisting
with the driving at various shows as could former son-in-law, Dave Alce.
Son, Jim, remembers that "Dad always enjoyed watching and encouraging the
younger and new exhibitors … and the socializing." And then there were
Lorne's "cheerleaders" -- his many brothers and sisters (and their families)
who could always be counted on to come out and show their support.
Without a doubt though, his greatest success was with Dr. Friday, with whom
he enjoyed unparalleled success in capturing the Wagon Stake Class at the
Royal Winter Fair and the Canadian Championship an astounding five
consecutive years. This was a matter of great satisfaction and justifiable
pride for Lorne (along with his wife, Alice) who owned, trained, and drove
the small, Quebec-bred horse to all of his show ring victories. Dr. Friday
came from the McCoy's in Quebec whose interest in the Standardbred business
continues with daughter, Sarah, married to Dr. John Hennessey and their son,
Wade, who is a trainer.
While one of his biggest stars, Dr. Friday, passed from competition, Lorne
continued to rack up the wins with a stable of well-remembered stars, such
as Medicine Man, Dr. Pepper, and Street Talk. Medicine Man also won the
Wagon Stake Class at the Royal with Gary Jones at the whip. Lorne's most
recent winners, Dream O' Battle and Byes Empress, continue to do well for
their current owners, Keith and Brian Harris of Quebec.
For many years and more recently, Lorne also campaigned trotters
successfully at Rideau Carleton Raceway and Connaught Park. Among his top
racehorses were On Track Macho, Maple Leaf Jet, Our Lucky Lady, and Double
Luke.
We are proud to honour Lorne as our 2003 Hall of Fame inductee and to
celebrate his many accomplishments -- as a great horseman and as a wonderful
person. Our thanks are extended to his family -- Alice; Donna and her
husband, Brian Wynn, and daughter, Jill; Jim; Kelly and her husband, Laurier
Vallee, and newly-arrived daughter, Angele (September 13, 2003 -
congratulations!); his many brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and close
friends -- for sharing in this celebration with us.
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Dr.
Friday, with owner/driver, Lorne Crawford, winner of the Wagon Stake
Class at the 1969 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for the fifth
consecutive year. (Photo by Budd Photography)
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Dr. Friday and King Bohemia at the
1964 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Photo by Budd Photography) |
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Good Trasco -- Ottawa Valley
Light Horse Show in Richmond - 1982.
(Photo by Phill Potter Photography |
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